Amazon is set to significantly expand its electric delivery fleet across Europe, with the addition of almost 5,000 fully electric Mercedes-Benz vans in the coming months.
The order for Mercedes eSprinter and Mercedes eVito vans is the largest single order of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles to date.
The electric vans will be distributed to Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) across five European countries, with a substantial portion of the fleet stationed in Germany.
Amazon anticipates that these vehicles will help deliver more than 200 million parcels per year, underlining the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transforming its transportation network.
Neil Emery, director of global fleet & product at Amazon, highlighted the significance of this expansion. He said: “This deployment of 5,000 electric delivery vans further underscores our work to reduce carbon emissions in our operations. From electric bikes to vans to trucks and infrastructure, we are well on our way to transforming our transportation network. We look forward to continuing to work with Mercedes-Benz to enable even faster electrification and decarbonisation across Europe.”
Mercedes-Benz has been a longstanding partner in Amazon’s journey towards sustainable logistics. The collaboration increased in 2020 when Mercedes-Benz joined "The Climate Pledge," a climate protection initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism.
Sagree Sardien, head of sales & marketing for Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: "I am delighted that we are further intensifying our long-standing relationship with Amazon and are working together towards the fully electric future of transportation. The courier, express, and parcel service industry once again proves to be a key driver of electromobility. Our eVito and eSprinter are perfectly tailored to meet the demands of our commercial customers regarding efficiency and range."
Both models will bring significant package carrying capabilities to Amazon’s home delivery operations.
The Mercedes-Benz eVito dimensions allow for generous interior space, thanks to the battery’s placement in the vehicle’s underbody, ensuring no compromise in loading volume compared to conventional combustion engines. The eVito panel van is available with battery capacities of 90 kWh or 60 kWh, delivering a range of up to 480 kilometres (WLTP) and is particularly suited for urban environments.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dimensions offer versatility with two length options and three different battery capacities, providing a range of up to 48km (according to the WLTP test cycle).
With a loading volume of up to 14 cubic metres and a gross vehicle weight of up to 4.25 tonnes, the eSprinter dimensions are tailored for high practicality. The vehicles for Amazon have been customised with shelves for parcel organisation and a partition wall with a sliding door to enhance driver convenience.
Amazon had previously added more than 1800 electric Merc vans to its fleet in 2020, where around 800 units were set to be used in the UK.
